Empathic children have nervous systems which react more quickly and strongly to external stimuli including stress. Sometimes they feel too much but
don’t know how to manage the sensory overload. They see more, hear more, smell more, intuit more, and experience emotions more. For instance, they
may not like strong food smells in the kitchen, perfumes, harsh bright lights (particularly florescent bulbs), or loud talking. They prefer soft (not
scratchy) clothes, beauty, nature, and having one or a few close friends rather than many acquaintances. Their sensitivities can get assaulted by our
coarse world, and this affects their behavior. Since most empathic children can’t articulate the cause of their upset, enlightened parents can help
them identify triggers and offer the solutions that I discuss in my book, The Empath's Survival Guide.

As parents, you need to know what overstimulates your empathic children and avoid those activities. Doing so calms them and wards off exhaustion, tantrums,
and anxiety. Common triggers include: excessive busy-ness such as overscheduling their day without breaks, multi-tasking, no alone time, and violent
television programs or newscasts especially at night. Following exposure to any of these factors, children might find it harder to fall asleep and
require more down time before bed to unwind. (Sensitive children may take longer to calm down at night than other children since their systems are
slower to transition from stimulation to quiet). Also empathic children can feel and absorb other people’s emotional discomfort, especially from parents
and close friends. Because they are “super-responders” their hurts cut deep and their joys are extra-joyous.

Empathic children don’t have the same mechanisms as non-empath children to screen out light, noise, and the chaos of crowds, for example at large sports
events. Cheering, clapping, and booing can feel jarring, even painful, to them. Nor do they respond well to loud music, honking, hammering or power
tools. These sounds agitate them as opposed to the peaceful effect of birds chirping, water elements, or gentle wind chimes. Empathic children may
cry more and cope by retreating into solitude to self-regulate sensory overload.

Empathic children don’t have the same mechanisms as non-empath children to screen out light, noise, and the chaos of crowds, for example at large sports
events. Cheering, clapping, and booing can feel jarring, even painful, to them. Nor do they respond well to loud music, honking, hammering or power
tools. These sounds agitate them as opposed to the peaceful effect of birds chirping, water elements, or gentle wind chimes. Empathic children may
cry more and cope by retreating into solitude to self-regulate sensory overload.

Typically, society or schools don’t give these exceptional children much understanding. Conventional physicians and teachers often label them as “shy,”
“antisocial” or “fussy,” or they’re diagnosed with social phobia, an anxiety disorder, or depression. In addition, they may be quieter, thoughtful,
deep, and gentle rather then highly verbal or assertive--which others can perceive as withdrawn. Because of these misconceptions, your role is critical
in supporting their sensitivities, intuition, creativity, wisdom, and in teaching them tools to cope with the world.

As an empathic child, I received no support from my physician-parents about my sensitivities--not because they didn’t love me, but because they didn’t
know what an empath was and were never taught how to understand my special needs. They wanted me to be happy, but they didn’t think encouraging my
sensitivities would lead me there. They called me “overly sensitive” and said that I needed a “thicker skin.” These “helpful” comments made me believe
there was something wrong with me. Because I felt misunderstood and invisible as an empathic child, I have become especially passionate about educating
parents about raising their empathic children.

Knowing that your child is an empath is the first step toward bringing out the best in him or her. Then you can support your son’s and daughter’s sensitivities
as an expression of their excellence, compassion, and depth. To determine if your child is an empath, take the following assessment.

Is Your Child an Empath?

Does he or she feel things deeply?

Does he or she get over-simulated by people, crowds, noise, or stress?

Does he or she have strong reactions to sad or frightening scenes in books or movies?

Does he or she want to escape and hide from family gatherings because there’s too much going on?

Does he or she feel “different” than other kids or complain about not fitting in?

Is he or she a good listener and compassionate with others?

Does he or she surprise you with intuitive comments about others or yourself?

Does he or she have a strong connection to nature, plants, animals, or stuffed animals?

Does he or she require a lot of time alone rather than playing with other kids?

Does he or she take on a friend’s stress or upset?

Does he or she take on your own or other people’s emotions or stress—and act out when you’re angry, upset or depressed?

Does he or she have one best friend or a few good friends rather then a large social network?

Comments

Christne Porter commented on 06-Sep-2017 09:28 AM

Growing up was hard for me more so since all the things I felt and seen my other siblings never felt or seen. I really never knew how different I was until the past 8 years or more, now in my late 50s.
I understand my Mum was psychic and her Mother before her ,passed down to me and now my daughter so it must run in families.

I am a full blown empath/psychic medium. I had no one to talk with so learnt to repress my gifts. Considering what I went through all my life i feel I am quite grounded, but at times when in crowds I struggle. I tried to ground myself but it just bouncers back off.

I tried meditating but feel this is not for me. I love my quiet times alone and this is my so-called meditating time. I was born this way and never had to go for development classes or join any spiritual groups. I feel lucky in a way to have these gifts.

I bought Dr Judith's book on The Empaths Survival Guide and after reading a few pages started to cry, because it felt like I was reliving my childhood again. I can relate to a lot of things in her book. I am so thankful I stumbled on this site and Dr Judith's book. It has helped me put my jig saw puzzle together.

Peace-light-love to all Empaths in the world

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